“Most Holy Father, please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it's too late,” the singer said in a social media post directed at the Pope.
“As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering. The children of the world belong to everyone. You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry,” she added. “We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children. There is no more time. Please say you will go.”
The American singer said her appeal was driven in part by her son Rocco’s birthday, which she marked on Monday. She described her request as the most meaningful gift she could give him - asking the world to act to save children trapped in the crossfire in Gaza.
Madonna stressed that she was not assigning blame or taking sides, but seeking to prevent children from dying of starvation.
Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, had maintained daily contact with Gaza’s Holy Family parish until his death in April.
The conflict in Gaza began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas, which governs the territory, attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251. About 20 hostages remain in captivity, while Israel’s military response has killed more than 61,500 Palestinians.
Palestinian child Sham Qudeih in Gaza Strip, August 10, 2025. Photo: HAITHAM IMAD/PAP/EPA
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Source: X/@Madonna/PR24